

Posted by: PrimaryLearning.org
Updated: November 25th, 2023
Alphabet Chart: A Key Tool for Teaching Letters & Sounds
Alphabet Chart: A Key Tool for Teaching Letters & Sounds
An alphabet chart, also known as an ABC chart or alphabet poster, contains all the alphabet letters and pictures and represents each letter sound and word for each letter.
Alphabet charts can include uppercase and lowercase letters, differentiate consonants and vowels in different colors, and images with a written word for each letter. All of this help students match sounds to letters.
How to Use an Alphabet Chart
How Should Alphabet Charts be Used in Classrooms?
When introducing a letter, have students point to it on the chart and say the letter name, word, and sound. Model this first, for example, “ant – /ă/,” and have students repeat this for all the letters.
Note that Q is typically taught with U, as QU /kw/ – queen or quail (consonant blend), since they are usually together. However, it is important to remember that this is a generalization, not a rule.
Additionally, charts make a great reference sheet for parents or homework folders. It’s also important for students to learn both the letter names and the sounds they make, along with the different ways to spell each sound.
Printable Letter Charts & Letter Sound Charts
Letters and words included in the alphabet chart (CVC words):
Aa – ant /ă/, ape /ā/
Bb – bat
Cc – cat /k/, city /s/
Dd – dog
Ee – egg /ĕ/, eel /ē/
Ff – fan
Gg – gum /g/, gem /j/
Hh – hen
Ii – ink /ĭ/, ivy /ī/
Jj – jam
Kk – kid
Ll – leg
Mm – map
Nn – net
Oo – odd /ŏ/, oak /ō/
Pp – pig
Qq – quiz
Rr – rat
Ss – sun /s/, rose /z/
Tt – tap
Uu – up /ŭ/, utensils /ū/
Vv – vet
Ww -wed
Xx – x-ray /ks/, xylophone /z/
Yy – yarn /y/, gym /ĭ/, fly /ī/, baby /ē/
Zz – zip
Letters and words included in the alphabet chart (longer words):
Aa – apple /ă/, acorn /ā/
Bb – bird
Cc – corn /k/, city /s/
Dd – darts
Ee – elephant /ĕ/, eraser /ē/
Ff – frog
Gg – gift /g/, giraffe /j/
Hh – hippo
Ii – igloo /ĭ/, ice cream /ī/
Jj – juice
Kk – king
Ll – lamp
Mm – map
Nn – nest
Oo – octopus /ŏ/, ocean /ō/
Pp – pirate
Qq – quail
Rr – rabbit
Ss – seal /s/, rose /z/
Tt – tiger
Uu – umbrella /ŭ/, unicorn /ū/
Vv – van
Ww – whale
Xx – x-ray /ks/, xylophone /z/
Yy – yogurt /y/, gym /ĭ/, fly /ī/, baby /ē/
Zz – zoo

Easy Printable Alphabet Charts for Kindergarten
This alphabet chart is a great start for students who have just started to learn the alphabet. It mostly consists of CVC words. The beginning vowels represent its short sounds. The second page has the letter formation directions (uppercase and lowercase) as the reference for students who started to learn to handwrite. Another alphabet chart for more advanced students has familiar and longer words students can easily refer to.
Download printable alphabet charts with letters (including letter formations) and pictures:
Chart with letters and pictures – CVC words
Chart with letters and pictures – longer words
Download printable alphabet charts with letters (including letter formations), pictures, and words:
Chart with letters, pictures, and words – CVC words
Chart with letters, pictures, and words – longer words

Printable Alphabet Charts for First Grade
These charts include short and long vowels, hard and soft sounds for C and G, /ks/ and /z/ sounds for the letter X, four sounds for the letter Y (Y as a consonant, Y as a short vowel sound /ĭ/, long vowel /ī/, and long vowel /ē/.
These charts are colorful and visually appealing, featuring clear illustrations and uppercase and lowercase versions of each letter. It can be used as a reference tool during instruction or as a visual aid for students to use independently.
Chart with CVC words (short and long vowels)
Chart with CVC words (short and long vowels, hard and soft C & G, letter X and Y sounds)
Chart with longer words (short and long vowels)
Chart with longer words (short and long vowels, hard and soft C & G, letter X and Y sounds)
Alphabet Chart vs. Sound Wall Chart
Once students learn that some letters and letter combinations represent different sounds, a sound wall chart would be better suited. This chart contains all possible English phonemes (44), a word image for each sound, and the different ways to spell each sound with words.
Keys to Success
When choosing or creating alphabet charts for your students, keeping a few things in mind is important:

Printable Handwriting Charts
Printable handwriting charts can be a helpful tool for kindergarten students learning to write.
- Handwriting charts provide a visual guide for children to see how to form each letter correctly. This helps children to develop muscle memory and fine motor skills needed for writing.
- Handwriting charts provide a consistent reference for students to refer to, so that they can form letters consistently and accurately.
- Handwriting charts can be used as a reinforcement tool after direct instruction. It provides students with a visual reminder of what they have learned and helps them to practice what they have learned.
- Once students have become familiar with the handwriting chart, they can use it independently as a reference tool, allowing them to take ownership of their own learning.
Download the manuscript handwriting chart and cursive handwriting chart. Each is available in three handwriting styles.
LEARNING MATERIALS TO MEET EVERY CHILD’S NEEDS
Here, at PrimaryLearning.Org, we tend to deliver the best-differentiated learning materials to K-2 students. Our resources can be easily incorporated into multisensory lessons to meet every child’s needs, whether s/he is a visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learner.